Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 12 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

133
Posts
5
Votes
Richard Chang
  • Renter
  • Alhambra, CA
5
Votes |
133
Posts

Have Duplex Apt Unit - Renting to dog owner ?

Richard Chang
  • Renter
  • Alhambra, CA
Posted

Hi everyone :)

I have a 2br 2ba both Upstairs and Downstairs and frequently get calls for Tenant with a dog.

I have rented with cats ( no problems so far ) but I'm reluctant to renting to dog owners as I'm afraid of the barking dog problems and any liabilities if the dog bites someone.

Can anyone advise on situations where a dog would be acceptable and if you can determine if the dog will be a problem or not ? :roll:

So, any advice on taking a tenant with a dog ? can you try and charge more ?
Seems like a big risk to me.

Thanks, Richard C

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

2,714
Posts
1,554
Votes
Lynn McGeein
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Virginia Beach, VA
1,554
Votes |
2,714
Posts
Lynn McGeein
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Virginia Beach, VA
Replied

I rent to tenants with a well-trained family dog, breed restrictions according to insurance and area, no weight limit, and must be clearly well-behaved, non-aggressive animal or they aren't moving in. That dog only is in lease. My managed ones (nothing with my other one) have an initial pet fee to cover some flea treatment they do, it's minimal, and no pet rent as I, too, find it insulting to people with well-trained dogs. In my rentals, tenants with kids have done more damage than tenants with dogs, so I prefer dogs.

We have had to rent recently as we've moved for work, and had to pay a huge $400 pet fee and pet rent in one place and a $300 fee plus pet rent in another. I did pay, so I am proof that you can force good tenants to pay it if they want to live in a specific location with an 80-lb dog, but I also took less than stellar care because of paying the fee -- not my dog, he is always perfect, but me, personally, decided more normal wear and tear was better than less if I'm paying that much extra. Point is, I would be cautious about charging pet fees versus refundable pet deposits, as it does change great tenants into not-so-great tenants. The one place we rented with the refundable pet deposit, I kept pristine.

Loading replies...